Disaster Preparedness



Disaster Preparedness

Introduction

Natural Disasters like floods, incessant rains, earth-quakes and epidemics are considered to be beyond the control of human beings. Not just the natural disasters but other upheavals like Wars, Bomb blasts or fire incidents etc are the situations for which an effective Management plan is essential with skilled staff to carry out the relief activities. Crisis may occur in any form which might result in a losing the loved ones or the heavenly shelters that once homes (Bruce, P, J. Burton, B. n.d). Be it a Volcano Eruption, drought, famine, floods, earth-quake or any manmade disaster. To combat the perilous effects of these disasters it is important to be prepared for any possible calamity as well as prepare the society to cope the hazardous effects of disasters.

This paper aims to define disaster preparedness by explaining its correlation to the disaster scale. It also discusses the preparation of strategies for direct disaster preparedness programs.

Thesis Statement

Vital steps for preparing society members to respond any natural and manmade disasters. Also outlining the disaster preparedness activities in the Post 9/11 period.

Discussion

'Disaster Preparedness' is the process which involves all the actions to be taken prior to a catastrophe. This involves a notice of a natural hazard in advance so as to smooth the progress using the existing resources that are important in 'relief' and 'rehabilitation'.

The process starts off at the 'local community level'. If these resources become scarce then pledges are made nationwide and in some cases worldwide also. It is tremendously hard to conclude every probability to be ready or prepared for an emergency before time. Just a glance around the unpredictable globe is enough to provide a sample of the numerous catastrophes which occurred in the recent past like storms such as hurricanes, tornados, floods, earthquakes, etc. The mankind remains ignorant of the fact that what happens next? We cannot possibly make out the reason what might happen the other minute. However, there are many other possibilities for the unexpected disruptions of life. They may happen to us in any form such as an accident, a fire eruption, bombing, or terrorist activities (Records, H. C., & Records, C. 2006).

Disasters are not necessarily to be natural only at many times especially in today's world disasters are manmade also such as fire eruption, War and Terrorist activities, Bombing, Explosions, Liquid Chemical spills, Building collapses due to inadequate use of construction material etc. It is important to understand that a natural disaster is something on which man cannot control but the manmade disasters can be prevented if adequate measures are taken before hand. This can even reduc3e the risks of large scale casualties and deaths. If adequate disaster prevention measures are taken, the impact of many manmade disasters can be reduced. Whatever the cause remains, it is important to empower every individual of the society with adequate knowledge of what should be the right thing to do in case of emergencies (Records, H. C., & Records, ...